BETHEL — The 20th annual Source to Sea, a group celebrating the Androscoggin River by paddling it, has released information on its past river paddles and announced upcoming events. Anyone interested in joining the group on its routes may do so.

Wednesday, July 22, Source to Sea explored Wight Brook in Newry, which flows into the Bear River, which feeds the Androscoggin. Dick Stratton from the Mahoosuc Land Trust guided 12 people for a hike up Step Falls. Stratton told hikers about the history of the falls and surrounding area, and talked about the challenges of managing a piece of property bordering private land.

Thursday, July 23, paddlers went from Hanover to Rumford. There were 13 paddlers in 12 kayaks for the nine-mile, four-hour trip. This stretch is mostly flat, slow water with with only one small rip to play through. Despite the low water, the current was still up. On river, Rebecca Howard and Lauren Austin from Patriot Renewables discussed the Saddleback Ridge Wind Power efforts in Carthage and extended an invitation to paddlers to take one of the planned tours or open house events they’ll have this summer or fall.

In Rumford, Brendan Schauffler from Healthy Oxford Hills discussed the community healthy lifestyle efforts to encourage biking, walking and healthy eating habits. A meal was provided by River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition. Wildlife sightings included five eagles, about 20 geese, kingfishers, one heron, one cormorant, a small hawk and a pair of adult eagles flying together down the river. Former Source to Sea coordinator, Sue Lincoln, now of Idaho, was present for the paddle.

The paddle on Friday, July 24, was from Mexico to Dixfield, and ended in a lunch provided by No View Farm at 1 p.m. There were 28 paddlers and one dog in 21 kayaks and two canoes for the eight-mile, four-hour trip. This stretch is mostly calm, slow water but the flow was low enough to have to fight the rocky bottom most of the first half.

Paddlers stopped around half-way at the Opera House take-out in Dixfield for a discussion by Scott Reed about the Catalyst Paper Mill in Rumford on the company environmental initiatives and local efforts to keep the river and environment clean. Nancy Carpenter spoke about her efforts to establish the Opera House as a permanent public take-out site. Two eagles, kingfishers and one heron were sighted. Verso Paper Co. and Patriot Renewables sponsored the lunch.

Saturday, July 25, paddlers traveled from Dixfield to Canton. There were 30 paddlers in 26 kayaks and two canoes for the eight-mile, four-hour trip. This stretch is calm, slow water, deep enough to only fight the rocky bottom for one small stretch. Ken Gallant discussed Verso Paper’s efforts to keep their sites environmentally clean, and provide and maintain access sites for the river.

Dr. Ellen Cowie, from the Northeast Archaeology Research Institute, introduced paddlers to the early Native Indian settlements near Canton and other digs along the river, as well as the regulations involved in preserving ancient sites. Four eagles, an osprey, kingfishers, ducks, geese and three herons were sighted.

Upcoming Source to Sea events include a white water paddle on Wednesday, July 29, from Livermore Falls to Leeds; an evening paddle Thursday, July 30 at the Otis Mill in Jay; a paddle Friday, July 31, from Leeds to Center Bridge in Greene; a paddle Saturday, Aug. 1, from Center Bridge to Cherry Pond with a hike on Androscoggin Riverlands State Park and a leisurely paddle on Sunday, Aug. 2, from Auburn to Rancourt Preserve, guided by Judy Marden from the Androscoggin Land Trust.

All paddles start at 8:30 a.m. Evening paddles and the Otis Mill in Jay paddles will begin at 5:30 p.m.

FMI: 207-754-8158, www.androscogginwatershed.org.